Rotary engine.



Patented Sept. 28, 1915.

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176 [33 48 1512 I ma w w wit messes 56 6 55 Int/ea er F. J. RICHARDS.

ROTARY ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED DEC.22. 1913.

1,1 54,886. Patented Sept. 28, 1915.

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F. J. RICHARDS.

ROTARY ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED ncc.22. I913.

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ROTARY ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED DEC-22.1913.

1,154,886 PatentedSept. 28, 1915. Fri? [Z s snms-snm 4.

F. J. RICHARDS.

ROTARY ENGiNE.

APPLICATION FILED D5022. i9l3.

1 1 54,886. Patented Sept. 28, 1915.

1 e SHEETS-SHEE15. 5 .20. /?7

FRANK JAY RICHARDS, OF LOS ANGELES,

0 CALIFORNIA. ASSIGNOR 0F FORTY-NINE ONE-HUNDBEDTHS TO DON M. BROCKWAY,OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

ROTARY ENGINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 28, 1915.

Application flied December 22, 1913. Serial No. 808,292.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK J. RICHARDS, a citizen of the United States,residing at Los Angeles, in the county of Los Angeles and State ofCalifornia, have invented a certain new and useful Rotar Engine, ofwhich the following is a speci cation.

This invention relates to the general class of engines having rotors,and more especially designed to produce a practical rotary engine of theinternal combustion type.

Difiiculties to be overcome in the construction and operation ofinternal combustion engines are numerous and among these may bementioned the difficulty of properly admitting and compressing thecombustible charges, the difiiculty of preventing leakage of theimpelling gases, and the difliculty of lubricating the pistons.

Objects of this invention are to overcome the difficulties aboveenumerated, and to provide a rotary internal combustion enginethat willoccupy little space, that will be of comparatively little weight andthat Will possess great power.

An object pf the invention is to provide and properly mount a set ofabutment members so that in the operation of said engine the abutmentmembers will move to and fro across the path of the rotor blades to formcompression chambers and explosion chambers with the rotor blades, andto provide and properly mount another set of abutment members, so thatin the operation of the engine such members will move to and fro acrossthe ath of the rotor blades to cooperate with t ie rotor blades to forma vacuum whereby to draw in a fuel supply.

'An object of the invention is to provide a non-leak packing for therotor blades. To this end the engine is constructed with an annularpiston way or chamber that is bounded'l'aterally and eripherally'bywalls. the transverse traces ot which are stranght that is to say, theintersections of the lane of any of said walls with the planes 0projection extending transversely of said walls are right lines-mud eachrotor blade or piston is made to conform thereto, each of the pistonsedges being straight to fit a corre' sponding wall of the" piston way,and said piston or rotor blade is formed with movable segmental packingmembers to constitute such edges.

Still another object is to provide a packing arrangement that willminimize the pressure of exploding gas against the shaft and otherworking parts that should be free from such pressure.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a valve thatthrough the action of suitable mechanism will cooperate with theabutment members to receive a charge of fuel after compression of thesame, and then conduct such charge into the explosion chamber.

Another object of the invention is to' provide a lubricating chamberthat will serve as a lubricating source to automatically supplylubricant to all of the working parts of the rotor.

A feature of the invention is the mechanism for opening and closing theabutment members and for changing the position of the valve cooperatingwith one set of such abutment members to form in the annular chamber acompression chamber and an explosion chamber. The mechanism consists ofooves formed in cams mounted to rotate with the shaft of the rotor, saidgrooves being adapted to actuate means whereby to transmit movement tosaid abutment members and valve.

More specifically my rotary engine comprises a practical rotor having alurality of piston blades that are impelled around in an annular chamberby an explosive force to revolve the rotor.

In carrying out this invention I provide abutments extending across thechamber, each abutment consisting of sliding members adapted to open andclose to permit the blades to pass therebetween and as successivecharges of explosive mixture are drawn into the chamber by the pistonblades each of said charges is successively impinged against an abutmentand compressed into a compression chamber from which the charges arepassed again to the rotary chamber rearwardly of the blades u on theother side of the abutment after sai blades have passed therebetween.This charge is then exploded to impel the blades around in the rotarychamber to drive the rotor.

These and other features, capabilities and advantages of the inventionwill become apparent from the detail subjoined description of onespecific embodiment of the invention.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention.

Figure l is a view partly in vertical longitudinal mid-section on line aFigs. 2, 8 and 20, illustrating arotary internal combustion engineconstructed in accordance with this invention, parts .being broken awayfor clearness of illustration and a fragment of the intake side beingshown, together with the carbureter. Parts are in the position assumedwhen the valve is just about to move preparatory to receiving acompressed charge as the abutments open and close to permit the bladesto pass therethrongh. The large feathered arrow ndicates the directionof rotation. Fig. is a plan view, parts being broken away to contractthe view and a portion of the exhaust manifold being shown in section.'1 he position of the operating parts corresponds to that shown inFig. 1. Fig. 3 is an elevation from the exhaust side of the engine,looking in the direction of arrow 3, Fig. 2, the direction of rotationof the rotor shaft being counterclockwise. The rotor and shaft are shownas advanced approximately one fifth of a revolution from the positionshown in Fig. 1, the compressing blade of Fig. 1 having passed throughthe abutment and arrived at an advanced position when the nextsucceeding blade acts to compress a charge into the valve chamber, aportion of which is broken away. Fig. 4 is a development of thevalve-actuating cam. The position of the cam relative to the roller,shown by a solid circle, corresponds to the relative positions shown inFigs. 20 and 21. Fig. 5 is a development of an abutment-actuating cam.Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional detail viewed from line .'11.'1:, Fig.3, with paltSiIl a corresponding position. Fig. 7 is a detail analogousto Fig. 6, viewed from line ca -00, Fig. 21, with parts in acorresponding position. Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmental verticaltransverse section viewed from line w", Figs. 1, 3, 9. 20 and 21,illustrating means of lubricating and packing. Fig. 9 is a fragmentalsectional detail from irregular line .r.r, Fig. 8, illustrating theconstruction and mounting of a rotor blade. Fig. 10 is a view of a rotorblade detached and stripped of its packing. the cover being alsoremoved. Fig. 11 is a cross section on diagonal line .2', Fig. 10. Fig.12 is a fragmental "ertical longitudinal mid-section, the valve being insection on line .r -a* Figs. 13, 14, 16 and 17. Solid lines show aposition of parts at the moment of firing a re leased charge, theabutment having just closed after a blade has passed through.

Dot and dash lines indicates the position of a rotor blade at thebeginning of the opening movement of the abutment, also thecorresponding position of the valve, while dotted lines indicate theblade position at the completion of the opening movement and brokenlines indicate the blade position at the beginning of the closingmovement. Fig. 13 is an elevation of the valve and chamber detached andviewed from line {E13, Fig. 12. Parts are broken away for clearness ofillustration. Fig. 11 is a fragmental cross-section viewed fromirregular line 00 Figs. 12 and 13, omitting the valve. Fig. 15 is afragmental section analogous to Fig. 12, showing the valve inmid-position in the valve chamber. Fig. 16 is a sectional elevation,illustrating the valve-packing means, the chamber being shown in sectionon line .2 Fig. 15. The packing retainer cover is removed to expose thepacking. Fig. 17 is a sectional view on line .27", Figs. 15 and 16,showing the valve detached from the valve chamber and stripped of itspacking. Fig. 18 is a perspective view illustrating two complementaryplates of valvepacking segments. Fig. 19 is a view of one of the packingrings detached. Fig. 20 is an enlarged fragmental horizontalmid-sectional view, partly in section on line wm Fig. 3 and sc -er, Fig.21. Parts are shown in positions assumed when a rotor blade passesbetween the open abutments, a compressed charge being shown in thecompression chamber. Fig. 21 is an enlarged fragmental elevationlookingin the direction of arrow 3, Figs. 2 and 20. The abutment is shown insection on line 1*, Fig. 20 and parts are in the same position as thoseof Fig. 20. Fig. 22 is a fragmental sectional detail analogous to Fig.20 viewed from irregular line as Fig. 23, illustrating the abutmentpacking. The abutment members are shown closed. Fig. 23 is a fragmentalvertical transverse section on line at, Figs. 1 and 22, parts being inthe positions shown in Fig. 22. Fig. 24 is a fragniental view analogousto Fig. 23, showing the abutment members open.

Arrows on the various section lines indicate the direction of sight.

In the embodiment shown, a cylinder is provided which is preferablycomposed of two circular sections 1 and 2 having outer annular sidewalls 3, inner receding side walls 4, shoulder members 5 between thewalls 3 and 4, each continued inwardly to form inner annular flanges 6,and bearings 7. The outer side walls 3 are each provided upon the insidewith annular recesses 8 in which seat the edges of the outercircumferential wall 9 that has a boss 10 at intervals therearound toaccommodate studs 11 which extend through the side walls 3 and receivenuts 12 to secure the wall 9 firmly in place between the sections 1 and2. The lower outer side of the wall 9 is provided with standards 13 and14 whereby the rotor is suitably mounted and secured in place.

The rotor shaft 15 is supported in the bearings 7 to which shaft issuitably fixed the rotor blades 16, four being provided in the presentinstance, which revolve in the annular chamber formed between the outerannular walls 3, the circumferential wall 9, the shoulders 5 and annularflanges 6. The rotor shaft 15 is of sufiicient length so that a belt(not shown) or other connecting means may be applied to transmit powerfrom it. (See Figs. 2 and 20.)

Oil chamber.-An annular oil chamber is provided to properly lubricatethe rotor blades 16. The annular bearings 7 have irrward extensions 18which have annular recesses 19 to receive packing rings 20 provided withinteriorlv mounted springs 21 having buttons 22, the buttons beingadapted to engage the bottom of the recess 19. The inner edge of saidpacking rings each have an annular oil-receiving channel 23. Thesespring-pressed packing rings 20 are adapted to press their inner edges,having the oil channel 23, against the rotor disk member 24. Theshoulder members 5 and their adjacent flanges 6 form one continuedsurface on their outer faces, the shoulders 5 forming annular recesses25 with the outer side walls 3. Packing rings 26 are positioned on theouter surfaces formed by the shoulders 5 and flanges 6. The annularrings have interiorly located springs 27 provided with the buttons theouter edges of the annular rings 26 being positioned in the annularrecesses 25. The inner edges of the packingrings 26 are each providedwith an annular oil-receiving channel 28. The inner edges of the packingrings having these oil channels are adapted to be pressed snugly againstthe sides of the outer web portion 17 upon the outside of the rotor rim29 by means of theirsprings 27. Thus, there are formed two chambers '28.one on each side of the disk member 24, by means of the receding sidewalls 4, the flanges 6 and their packing rings 26 at their outer endsand the extensions 18 and their packing rings 20 at their inner ends.These chambers 28 are filled with lubricant which is supplied to theoil-receiving channels 23 and 27 to form an oil seal between the oilchambers 28' and annular chamber 35 to thereby prevent any leaktherebetween. The chambers 28 also supply lubricant to the rotor blades16 which will be explained when describing the construction of the rotorblades.

Rotor blades.The rotor or piston blades 16 may be formed integral withthe rotor if desired. In the present instance. the disk member 24 of therotor is provided with an annular reinforced rim 29 forming a flangeover each face of the disk member 24. Four recesses 30 are provided insaid rim at 90 from one another, to receive the inner enlarged arms 31of the rotor blades 16, said arms being secured in said recesses 30 byany suitable means, such as screws 32.

The edges of the blades are substantially rectangular. In the presentembodiment the necks 125 of the blades form bosses with respect to theblade bodies 126 which form the front faces of said blades. Blade covers127, forming the rear faces of said blades, are spaced apart from theblade bodies by means of annular rims 33 which are positioned at adistance from the outer edge of said faces. Each of said covers 127 issecured in place upon the blade bodies by screws 128 extending intotapped holes 129 in the rims Outside the annular rim and in the recessformed by the rim with the adjacent faces of the blades there isprovided resilient split rings 34 which have a tendency to spreadoutward. Around these split rings segmental packing members are providedwhich are pressed outward by the split rings to form a tight fit withthe side walls 3, the circumferential wall 9, and inner face of theannular chamber 35 in which the blades 16 are adapted to travel.

The segmental packing members are of articular construction. (See Fig.18.) The segments 36 of the packing members when fitted together formtwo distinct plates, there being four segments for each plate. The outeredges of these plates are of a rectangular outline when fitted togetherand have an inner circular opening.

he divisions of the segments of a particular plate with one another areinclined, as at 36, so that when placing the packing members in positionfor use. the inclined divisions of two abutting plates will be instaggered relation to one another in order that each division of oneplate will be opposite the intact face of a segment of the abuttingplate. (See Figs. 8 and 16.)

The working faces of the annular chamber 23.": are lubricated throughthe blades 16 from the lubricating chambers 28' in the following novelmanner: (See Fig. 8.) A transverse passage 37 provided in the diskmember 24 communicates with the oil chambers 28 one such passage 37being provided beneath each blade 16. Communicating with each passage 37is a cylindrical passage 38 which passes up through the disk member 24,the neck 125 of the blade body and into the cylindrical chamber 130formed within the annular rim 33. orifices 39 being formed in the rim33, whereby lubricant from the chamber 130 may be supplied to the splitrings 34 from where the lubricant will ooze out between the segments 36to the working faces of the annular chamber 35. The oil film containedbetween the segments III! face 69 is preferably formed by a packingretainer cover 169 suitably secured in place upon the annular rim 70 andaround this rim and between the faces 68 and 69 are positioned the splitrings 71 and 72, one for each of the segmental plates 73 and 74respectively, which are each composed preferably of four segments 75,the divisions between the segments being inclined as at 75 and soarranged that the division of two segments of each plate is opposite theintact segment of the opposite plate. The workingfaces of the valvehousing 62 are lubricated by means of a lubricating passage 76 formed inthe trunnion 64. the passage 76 being supplied from any suitable source,as through an oil pipe 176 communicating with the blind trunnionbearing177. The passage 76 (see Fig. 17) communicates with thecylindrical chamber 77 formed within the annular rim 70 which isprovided with orifices 78 through which lubricant in the chamber 77oozes out and between the segments 75 to the working faces of thehousing 62. 'The oil film between the segments 75 acts as a seal to packthe valve 63, similar to the packing of the rotor blades 16, to preventany leakage between the chambers 85 and 86. One set of abutments orgates is positioned adjacent to this valve. There are provided twoseries of openings 79 and 80, respectively, which are so positioned thatwhen the adjacent abutments are closed one series of openings 79 will beon one side of the abutments and the other series 80 will be on theother side of the abutments. The series of openings 79 communicates withthe interior of the valve housing 2 by means of passages 81, and asecond series of openings 82 formed in a line approximately in themiddle of the valve housing 62; and the other series of openings 80communicate with the interior of the housing 62 by means of passages 83;and a second series of openings 84 formed in a line approximately in themiddle of the valve housing 62, but at the opposite side of the: housingto that where the openings 82' are formed. The lines of the openings 82and 84 are such that when the valve 63 cut oh" conunuuication betweenthe housing "-L' and annular chamber 35. and then swlngs ou-r lo aposition where its upper edge iiiclines inwardly, (see Fig. 1) so thatcommunication between the chamber 85 and the annular chamber 35 isestablished by means of the openings 84, passages 83 and openings 80. Atthe same time when the upper edge of the valve 63 is inclined inwardly,communication will also be established from annular chamber 35 with theouter chamber 86 of the housing 62 by means of openings 79, passages 81and openings 82; and then by succeeding movements of the valve 63communication between this chamber 86 will be established with theannular chamber 35 by means of openings 84, passages 83 and openings 80.

The valve 63 is moved to and fro direct from the shaft 15 of the rotor.

Valera-actuating mchanismThe trunnion 65 of the valve 63 has fixed to itoutside the stuffing-box 178 of the trunnion bearing 179 an arm 87 towhich is pivoted a link 88 which is pivoted at its other end to a lever89 which is fulcrumed at 90 to the outer side wall 3 of the cylinder andis connected at 90 to a sleeve member 91 which has an internal helicalthread to receive an external helical thread formed on one end of a rod92, the other end of which is located in a sleeve 93 fixed to thereceiving wall 4 of the cylinder, the rod 92 having a finger 91 whichhas a roller 95 provided at its end to travel in the cam groove 96 ofthe sleeve 61. The cam groove 96 comprises normal limbs 180 eachconnecting outer and inner laterally extending limbs 181 and 182 to forma continuous groove around the cam, there being four normal limbs 180,two outer limbs 181 and two inner limbs 182, (see Fig. 4,) said limbsbeing so timed that the valve 63 is moved to and fro four times for eachrevolution of the shaft 15 to cooperate with each of the four blades 17of the rotor, the roller 95 riding in the normal limb 180 to maintainthe valve in intermediate position in the valve chamber 62 as therollers 55 and 56 ride over the crests 155 and open and close theabutment members to permit the blades to pass therethrough.

Ignitz'om-A spark plug 97 is mounted in the bore 98 of a boss 99provided in the outer annular wall 3 of the cylinder which is in thevicinity of the set of abutments 00- operating with the valve 63. Theboss 99 is in an inclined position to said side wall 3 with its bore 98pointing in the direction of the set of abutments as shown in Fig. 23.The inner end of the bore 98 has a perforated obstruction 100 providedwith a series of perforations 101 pointing in the same direction as thebore, the inner face of the obstruction 100 being in a plane with theface of the annular chamber 35, the series of perforations 101permitting the spark from the spark plug 97 to enter the chamber 35,while the obstruction itself will prevent sagging of the piston blades16 when passed by said spark plug communication.

A suitable magneto 102 (see Fig. 3) is provided for energizing the sparkplug 97. The magneto 102 is connected up in the usual manner as by agear 103 on the magneto shaft 104 which gear is in mesh with the annulartoothed face 105 on the cam 61.

Intake and emhaust.ln the outer side wall 3 of the cylinder, preferablyat a distance from the base, as shown in Fig. 3; and on the oppositeside from the valve 63, an intake 106 is provided to which, in thepresent instance, is connected a carbureter 107. A perforated cover 108is provided at the entrance of this intake into the annular chamber 35,which cover is flush with the inner face of the annular chamber 35, sothat when the piston blades 16 pass the intake they will be preventedfrom sagging into the opening of the intake.

Above the intake 106 and preferably on the opposite side therefrom theside wall 3 of the cylinder is provided with an outlet opening 109adapted to permit exhaust to escape. In the present instance, there aretwo such outlet openings provided, another opening 110 being formed ashort distance from the openin 109 in the side wall 3. An exhaust manifod 111 is connected to the outlet 109. A partition 112-is provided inthisexhaust manifold 111 which prevents communication between the outlet109 and the outlet 110 through the branch 113 which communicates betweenopening 110 and the exhaust pipe 111. The manifold 111 passes off theexhaust which escapes through the outlet openings 109 and 110.

There are provided covers 114 and 1-15 respectively for the outletopenings 109 and 110, the covers being flush with the inner faces of theannular chamber 35, so that the piston blades 16 may freely pass overthe same, and, due to the covers 114 and 115, will be prevented fromsagging into the openings.

Operation.Assumin that the gates A and B are in closed position as shownin Fig. 1 when turning the rotor in the direction of the feathered arrowthat piston blade 16, which is just moving from the gate B will tend toform a vacuum with such gate B, and consequently, when it passes overthe intake 106 it will draw in a charge of fuel. In its continuedrotation it will carry this charge of fuel over to the gate A and aftersaid blade has passed through, and the gate is again closed, thefollowing blade C as it approaches the closed gate A, will compress thecharge, which compressed charge by means of the series of openings 80,passages 83 and second series of openings 84 will be passed into theinner chamber 85 of the 85 housing 62. A normal limb 180 of the camgroove 96 will then ride upon the roller 95 to actuate the valveconnections to move the valve 63 into a middle position whereby it willcut ofi further communication between the annular chamber 35 and thechamber 85. A crest of the cam groove 59 will at this same time advanceupon the rollers 55 and 56 to actuate the abutment connections to openthe abutments A and B to permit said following piston blade C to passbetween abutment members A and continue in its passage through thechamber 35, meanwhile permitting the blade D to pass between the gates Bpreparatory to drawing in a full charge. As soon as said piston blade Chas passed beyond the abutment A, said crest 155 retreats from therollers 55 and 56 to again close the abutment A whereupon after closing,an outer limb 181 of the cam groove 96 will immediately ride upon theroller 95 to move the valve 63 out of middle position, so thatcommunication will be established between the chamber 35 and the chamber85 by means of the series of openings 82, passages 81 and openings 79,(see Fig. 12) the compressed charge rushing into the chamber 35rearwardly of the blade C. The spark plug 106 is timed to then fire thecharge contained between the blade C and the closed abutment A fromwhich the blade is moved. The fired charge, as is usual, cannot move theabutment A, and will spend itself in thrusting forward the said blade C.As this blade C then arrives at the outlet 110 the burnt gas will bepassed out therethrough. Upon the continued rotation the succeedingblade E, see Fig. 3, will. compress a charge through the openings 8-].-into the outer chamber 86 in which it will be held as the succeedingnormal limb and roller 95 move the valve again into a middle positionwhile the blade E passes between the abutment A, opened by the nextsucceeding crest 155. Upon the closing of the abutment A the valve ismoved again into the aslant position shown in Fig. 1 by the nextsucceeding limb 182 and roller 95, whereupon the compressed chargerushes into the chamber 35 rearwardly of the blade E through theopenings 82 where said charge is fired. This operation completesone-half of the engine revolution, the other half revolution being arepetition of the operation just described.

The pressure in the annular chamber 35 to the explosion in the firingchamber is practically prevented from exercising an force on the shaft15 and the rotor dis member 24, thus enhancing the easy operation of theengine and minimizin the power required to drive the en ine. his isaccomplished by means 0 the outer faces formed on the shoulders 5 andflanges 6 and the outer packing rings 26 thereon which fit snuglyagainst the sides of outer portion 17 of the disk member 24 leaving justa narrow edge of said disk member exposed to the annu ar chamber 35.

Obviously but one of the outlets 110 or 109 may be used. In high speedengines, it is preferable to use the outlet 110, the one nearer theplace of explosion, whereas in slow speed engines the more remote outlet109 would be more desirable.

Water jacket.-As is apparent from the operation above describedpractically only the upper part of the cylinder between the explodingplace of the charge and the outlets 109 and 110 will be heated.Therefore,

it is only necessary to provide a water gasket from this upper portionof the cylin- The annular wall 9 is located a short dis tance from theedges of the cylinder sections 1 and 2. Therefore, in the presentinstance, it is only necessary to provide a copper plate 116 to secureto the outer edges of the upper portions of the sections 1 and 2 overthe bosses 10 where it is fastened by means of screws 117, or othersuitable means. To provide a non-leak fit a recess 121 is formed alongthe edges of the sections 1 and 2 inwardly of the screws 117 in whichrecess a rubber fillet or the like may be positioned. There are twoinlet pipes 118 and 119 passed into this water jacket, one near each endof the jacket, and one outlet pipe 120 which is approximately at themiddle upper side of the water jacket. These inlet and outlet pipes maybe connected to a radiator or the like in any suitable manner.

It is obvious that various changes and modifications may be made to thedetails of construction of this engine without departing from thegeneral scope of the invention.

I claim 1. A'rotary engine comprising a cylinder and a rotor mounted torotate in said cylinder, piston blades formed on said rotor, an outerannular chamber in said cylinder in which said blades travel, an annularlubricating chamber formed between said outer annular chamber and theaxis of the rotor and in the place of rotation of said rotor, and apassage formed in said piston blades to afford communication betweensaid lubricating chamber and the working faces of said outer annularchamber whereby said working faces will be lubricated from saidlubricating chamber.

2. A rotary internal combustion engine comprising a casing forming anouter annular chamber and an inner annular chamber, a rotor mounted torotate having a disk member adapted to travel in said inner annularchamber, and a plurality of piston blades on the'periphery of said diskmemher and adapted to travel in said outer annular chamber, said innerannular chamber being adapted to be filled with lubricant, and means tofeed said lubricant from said inner annular chamber to the working facesof said outer annular chamber.

3. A rotary, internal combustion engine comprising a casing forming anouter annular chamber and an inner annular chamber, a rotor mounted torotate in said-casing having a disk member adapted to travel in saidinner annular chamber and a plurality of piston blades formed on theperiphery of said disk member andadapted to travel in said outer annularchamber, said inner annular chamber being adapted to be filled withlubricant, an annular opening between said outer and inner annularchambers in which the disk member of said rotor is adapted to rotate,packing means for said annular opening to provide a non'leak fit betweensaid inner and outer chambers, and means to feed the lubricant from saidinner annular chamber to the working faces of said outer annular chamberthrough said piston blades.

4. A rotary internal combustion engine comprising a casing forming anouter annular chamber and an inner annular chamher, a rotor mounted torotate in said casing having a disk member adapted to travel in saidinner annular chamber and a plurality of piston blades formed on theperiphery of said disk member and adapted to travel in said outerannular chamber, said inner annular chamber being adapted to be filledwith lubricant, an annular opening between said outer and inner chambersin which the disk member of said rotor is adapted to rotate, packingmeans for said annular opening to provide a non-leak fit between saidinner and outer chambers, and a passage in said piston blades to affordcommunication between said inner chamber and the working faces of saidouter chamber whereby said working faces will be lubricated from saidinner chamber.

5. A rotary internal combustion engine comprising an outer annularchamber and an inner annular chamber, a disk member mounted to rotate insaid inner annular chamber, a plurality of piston blades formed on theperiphery of said disk member and adapted to travel in said outerannular chamber, said inner annular chamber being adapted to be filledwith lubricant, an annular opening between said outer and inner annularchambers in which the outer edge of said disk member is adapted totravel, packing means for said annular opening to provide a non-leak fitbetween said inner and outer chamber, an annular recess in said packingmeans adapted to contain lubricant and presenting a lubricating face tothe disk member traveling in said annular opening, and means to feedlubricant from said inner chamber to said annular recess and the gorkingfaces of said outer annular cham- 6. A rotary internal combustion enginecomprising an inner and an outer annular chamber, a disk member adaptedto travel in said inner annular chamber, a plurality of piston bladesformed on the periphery of said disk member and adapted to travel insaid outer annular chamber, said inner annular chamber being adapted tobe filled with lubricant, an annular opening between saidouter and innerannular chambers in which the outer edge of said disk member is adaptedto rotate, packing rings for said annular opening to provide a non-leakworking fit between said inner and outer annular chambers,annularrecesses provided in the packing rings adjacent the edge of the diskmember, said annular recesses being adapted to contain lubricant to forman oil seal and to present lubricating faces for said disk member, andmeans for supplying lubricant from said inner chamber to said annularrecesses and the working faces of said outer chamber.

7. A rotary internal combustion engine comprising a casing having anannular chamber, a rotor comprising a plurality of piston blades adaptedto rotate in said annular chamber, packing means for said piston bladesto form tight working fits with the working faces of said annularchamber, said packing means comprising segmental plates, and a resilientring for pressing the segments outward into contact with the workingfaces of said annular chamber.

8. A rotary internal combustion engine comprising a casing having anannular chamber, a rotor comprising a plurality of piston blades adaptedto rotate in said annular chamber, packing means for said piston bladesto form tight working fits with the working faces of said annularchamber, saidpacking means comprising segmental plates, the segments ofthe several plates being in staggered relation to one another so thatthe divisions between each two segments of one plate will be positionedopposite to an intact face of a segment of the adjacent plate, and aresilient ring adapted to maintain said segments in contact with theworking faces of said annular chamber.

9. A rotary engine comprising a casing having an annular chamber, arotor comprising a plurality of piston blades adapted to rotate in saidannular chamber, said piston blades being composed of a front plate, arear plate and an annular rim interposed between said plates, packingmeans for said piston blades to form tight working fits with the workingfaces of said annular chamber, said packing means comprising a resilientmember positioned around the annular rim, and segmental platespositioned on said resilient member, said resilient member operating topress said segmental plates into contact with the working faces of saidannular chamber.

10. A rotary engine comprising a casing having an annular chamber, arotor comprising a plurality of piston blades adapted to rotate in saidannular chamber, said piston blades being composed of a front plate, arear plate and an annular rim positioned between said plates, packingmeans for said piston blades positioned around said annular rim to formtight working fits with the working faces of said annular chamber, saidannular rim forming a cylindrical chamber inside of it with the frontand rear plates for containing lubricant, and means for conveying saidlubricant through the packing means to the working faces of the annularchamber.

11. A rotary engine comprising a casing having an annular chamber, arotor comprising a plurality of piston blades adapted to rotate in saidannular chamber, said piston blades being composed of a front plate, arear plate and an annular rim positioned between said plates, packingmeans for said piston blades positioned around said annular rim to formtight working fits with the working faces of said annular chamber, saidannular rim forming a cylindrical chamber inside of it with the frontand rear plates for containing lubricant, means for supplying lubricantto said cylindrical chamber, and means for conveying said lubricant tothe working faces of said annular chamber.

12. A rotary engine comprising a casing having an inner annular chamberand an outer annular chamber, a rotor comprising a plurality of pistonblades adapted to rotate in said outer annular chamber, said innerannular chamber being adapted to contain lubricant, said piston bladesbeing composed of a front plate, a rear plate and an 110 annular rimbetween said plates, packing means for said piston blades positionedaround said'annular rim to form tight working fits with the workingfaces of said annular chamber, said annular rim forming a 115cylindrical chamber inside of it with the front and rear plates forcontaining lubricant, a passage formed in the plates to affordcommunication between the inner annular chamber and said cylindricalcham- 12o her to supply lubricant to said cylindrical chamber from saidinner annular chamber, and means for conveying lubricant fromsaidcylindrical chamber to the working faces of said outer annular chamber.

13. A rotary engine comprising a casing forming an outer annular chamberand an inner annular chamber. a rotor mounted to rotate in said casinghaving a reinforced rim adapted to travel in said inner annular 130chamber, an outer web portion upon the outside of said rim, a pluralityof piston blades secured on the rim and adapted to travel in said outerannular chamber, an annular opening between said outer and innerchambers in which the outer web portion of said rotor rim is adapted torotate, spring pressed packing rings having inner edges adapted to pressagainst each side of said outer web portion, annular oil channels ineach of said inner edges, said oil channels being adapted to containlubricant to form an oil seal between said outer and inner annularchambers to practically eliminate any pressure in said outer annularchamber from entering said inner annular chamber.

14.-An internal combustion engine comprising a casing having an annularchamber, a rotor comprising a plurality of piston blades adapted torotate in said annular chamber, packing means for said piston blades toform tight working fits with the working faces of said annular chamber,said packing means comprising segmental plates, the segments of theseveral plates being in staggered relation to one another so that thedivisions between each of two segments of one plate will be positionedopposite to the intact face of a segment of the adjacent plate, meansfor maintaining said segments in contact with the working faces of thesaid annular chamber, and means for conveying lubricant between saidsegmental plates, said lubricant forming a film between said plateswhereby gas or the like is prevented from leaking from one side of apiston blade to the other side through such segmental plates.

15. An internal combustion engine comprising a casing forming an annularchamher, a shaft mounted in said casing, four piston blades connected torotate with said shaft and adapted to travel in said annular chamber, afuel inlet communicating with said annular chamber, a set of abutmentsmounted in said annular chamber to form a vacuum with each piston bladeas it passes whereby to suck in a charge of fuel from the fuel inlet, asecond set of abutments operatively mounted in said annular chamber toform a compression chamber with each 'pis ton blade whereby to com ressthe charge of fuel carried by said b ade, cam means fixed to rotate withsaid shaft and rack and gear means connecting said cam means to saidabutments whereby said abutments are opened and closed, said cam meansbeing formed so that they will operate to open said abutments four timesfor everv revolution of said shaft and being so timed that they willopen for every blade as it passes through and to again close when saidblade has passed through.

16. An internal combustion engine comprising a casing forming an annularchamher, piston blades adapted to travel in said annular chamber, a setof abutments operatively mounted in said annular chamber to form acompression chamber with a piston blade whereby to compress the chargeof fuel carried by said blade, and then to form a firing chamber withthe same blade, a valve chamber adapted to communicate with said annularchamber andcotiperating with said set of abutments, a valve pivotallymounted in said valve chamber adapted to swing therein to successivelyestablish communication between said valve and said annular chamber atone time to receive the fuel after it has been compressed, then to cutoff communication and then to again establish communication with saidannular chamber to convey said compressed charge to the an-' nularchamber there to be fired.

17. An internal combustion engine comprising a casing forming an annularchamber, piston blades adapted to travelin said annular chamber, a 'setof abutments operatively mounted in said annular chamber to form acompression chamber with a piston blade whereby to compress the chargeof fuel carried by said blade, and then to form a firing chamber withthe same blade, a valve chamber adapted to communicate with said annularchamber and cooperating with said set of abutments, a valve mounted insaid valve chamber adapted to establish communication between said valvechamber and said annular chamber at one time to receive the fuel afterit has been compressed, then to cut off communication and to againestablish communication with said annular chamber to convey saidcompressed charge to the annular chamber there to be fired, saidabutments opening to permit said piston blade to pass whilecommunication with said valve chamber is cut off and to again closebefore communication is again reestablished with said valve chamber.

18. An internal combustion engine comprising a casing forming an annularcham ber, piston blades adapted to travel in said annular chamber, a setof abutments operatively mounted in said annular chamber having' a frontface and a rear face, the front face being adapted to form a eampressionchamber with a piston blade whereby to compress the charge of fuelcarried by said blade, the rear face of said abutments being adapted toform a firing chamber-with said piston blade, the valve chamber havingtwo series of openings adapted to be in communication with the annularchamber, one series of openings affording communication between thevalve chamber and the annular chamber beyond the front face of said setof abutments, and the other series of openings affording communicationbetween the valve chamber and the annular chamber beyond the rear faceof said set of abutments, a

valve dividing said valve chamber into an inner and an outercompartment, said valve being adapted to successively establishcommunication between the inner compartment and the annular chamberwhich is beyond the front face of said set of abutments to permit thefuel after being compressed to enter said valve chamber while the outercompartment is in communication with the annular chamber beyond the rearface of said abutment members to pass out a charge from the vaivechamber to the firing chamber, then to cut off communication of both theinner and outer chamber with the annular chamber, and then to establishcommunication between the inner compartment and the annular chamberbeyond the rear face of said set of abutments at which time to permitthe charge received to be passed into the firing chamber while the outercompartment is then in communication with the annular chamber beyond thefront face of said set of abutments to receive a new charge of fuelafter being compressed.

19. In the rotary engine having an annular chamber and piston bladesadapted to travel in said chamber, a set of abutmcnts mounted to contactwith one another to form compression and firing chambers with saidpiston blades, each abutment comprising a body member having tworectangular plates, a primary recess between said plates having aconcave bottom, a secondary recess in said concave bottom, resilientrings located in said secondary recess, segmental packing plates mountedin said primary recess and bein pressed outward so as to present aresilient contacting edge for said abutments so that when the abutmentsmeet they will form a non-leak fit between them.

20. In an internal combustion engine, the combination with a casingforming an annular chamber of a shaft mounted in said casing, istonblades connected to rotate with sai shaft and adapted to travel in saidannular chamber, sets of abutments reciprocatingly mounted tointermittently form firing and compression chambers and to operate toform a vacuum, cam means for recipmeeting said sets of abutments, saidcam means com rising cam grooves provided with crests, evers adapted tocooperate with said cam grooves to reciprocate said sets of abutments,and a pair of rollers rotatabiy mounted adjacent one another on the endof the lever, one of said rollers riding over said crests and the otherof said rollers riding against the cam groove walls opposite saidcrests, so that the change in velccit imparted to the rollers as theyroll aroun said cam groove will be compensated for.

21. A rotary engine having an annular chamber, piston blades having atight working fit with said annular chamber, an inlet communicating withsaid annular chamber and adapted to supply fuel thereto, exhaust outletscommunicating with said annular chamber, and perforated covers providedfor said inlet and exhaust outlets which are flush with the face of saidannuiar chamber to permit a tight working lit and yet prevent sagging ofthe piston blades when passing over said inlet and outlets.

22. In an internal combustion engine, the combination with a casingforming an annular chamber, pistons adapted to travel in said annularchamber, of a valve mechanism cooperating with said annular chamber toreceive the charge of fuel from said annular chamber after beingcompressed, and then to redeliver said charge to said annular chamber,said valve mechanism comprising a chamber, a valve dividing said chamberinto an inner and an outer compartment, said valve being adapted toswing in said chamber to successively establish communication betweenthe inner compartment and said annular chamber, to entirely shut offcommunication with said annular chamber, then to establish communicationbetween the outer compartment and said annular chamber, and then toagain shut off communication with said annular chamber, and two walls ofsaid annular chambers being curved to form a tight working fit for saidvalve so as to prevent leakage between said inner and outercompartments.

23. In an internal combustion engine the combination with a casingforming an annular chamber, of a shaft mounted in said casing, pistonblades connected to rotate with said shaft and adapted to travel in saidannular chamber, sets of housing extensions upon the outer side walls ofsaid casing. sets of abutments reciprocatingly mounted in said housingextensions and adapted to extend across said annular chamber tointermittently form firing and compression chambers and to operate toform a vacuum, the abutments of each set .being provided with an outerrack member, a spur wheel mounted inside of each housing extension andadapted to mesh with said rack member, levers having segmental gearportions connected 5 with said spur wheels, cams fixed to rotate withsaid shaft and provided with cam grooves, said cam grooves coiiperatingwith said levers to rotate the spur Wheels and move the rack members tothereby recipro- 12o cate said abutments.

24. In an internal combustion engine the combination with a casingforming an annular chamber, of a shaft mounted in said casing, pistonblades connected to rotate with said shaft and adapted to travel in saidannular chamber, valve mechanism cooperating with said annular chamberto receive the charge of fuel from said annular chamber after beingcompressed, and then to redeliver said charge to said annular chamber,said valve mechanism comprising a chamher, a valve dividing said chamberinto an inner and an outer compartment, said valve being adapted toswing in said chamber to successively establish communication betweenthe inner compartment and said annular chamber, to entirely shut offcommunication with said annular chamber, then to establish communicationbetween the outer compartment and said annular chamber, and then toagain shut off communication with said annular chamber, a leverfulcrumed at the side of the casing and connected to the valve, a sleevemember connected to said lever and provided with an internal helicalthread, a rotatably mounted rod having an external helical threadadapted to engage with said internal helical thread, cams fixed torotate with said shaft and provided with cam grooves, said cam groovescooperating with said rotatably mounted rod to turn said rod to operatesaid internal and external helical threads to thereby move the lever toswing the valve.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand at Los Angeles,California, this 13th day of December, 1913.

FRANK JAY RICHARDS. In presence of JAMES R. TOWNSEND, WILLIAM N. KIRKLY.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,154,886, grantedSeptember 28, 1915, upon the application of Frank Jay Richards, of LosAngeles, California,

for an improvement in Rotary Engines, errors appear in the printedspecification requiring correction as follows: Page 1, line 44, for theword stranght read straight; page 5, line 9, for the reference-numeral75 read 75; page 6, line 120,

after the reference-numeral 35 insert the word due; page 11,second-named witness to the signature of the specification, for WilliamN. Kirkly" read Willqlam N. Eddy; and that the said Letters Patentshould be read with these eor rections therein that the same may conformto the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 2nd day of November, A. 1)., 1915.

R. F. WHITEHEAD,

Acting O'mnmtseioner of Patents.

